Berth and chair arrangement



Oct..26, 1943. E. F. BURTON ETAL BERTH AND CHAIR ARRANGEMENT Filed'Dec. 17, 1937 '10 Sheets-Sheet 1 .dr @www om Wea@ [FLA 2 WMC /rdm AEJ n, 1 ,MW 1 N. 1N mw o2" am@ SQ Em mw *ma am@ @o3 E mms @s ou NN.

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I N VEN TORS ATTORNEY l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 bm; @wf MON Y bmi @wv Oct. 26, 1943. E, F, BURTON Erm.

BERTH AND CHAIR ARNGEMENT Filed Dec. 1'7, 1957 E. F. BURTON ETAI.

BERTI-I AND CHAIR ARRANGEMENT Ott. 26,

Filed nec. y1v, 195'? 1 0 sheds-sheet 4 A S e Q8. m2 @Q HI n 8@ m :nos l. m no* FL ovm mo ATTORNEY Oct, 26, 1943. E; F, BURTQN ETAL 2,332,841

BERTH AND CHAIR ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec. 17, 193'? l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 20o 204 oo ,201

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BERTH AND CHAIR ARRANGEMENT FiledDec, 17, `193'? 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS BMJ ATTORNEY l Oene, 1943. E. F. BURTON HAL 2,:arazz41 BERTH AND CHAIR ARRANGEMENT Filed ne. 1'1. 1937 1o sheets-sheet v ATTORNEY 0d. 26, `1943- E. F. BURT'N Erm. 2,332,841

BERTH AND CHAIR ARRANGEMENT 1o sheets-sheet 8 a ,nr w ,0a/em wpd@ aou m/MWN f /K E mv u., UJUCW 0. www. @607 v, 4 Ec/ 8 i QMW, wr/a0, Af]

ATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1943. E. F. BURTON ETAL.

BERTH AND CHAIR ARRNGEMEN1 Filed Dec. 1'7, 1937 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 mf mmw www @50M 5F.. uw M r/a #EJ INVENTORS ATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1943. E BURTON EAL 2,332,341

ABERTH AND CHAIR ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec. 17, 195'? 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 iff/1,31 17 52 r/w E. @og/mond. Edu/ard E 5dr/0n ana? Job/7 C'. Buc/ru/a//er ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 26, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Aration of Delaware Application December 17, 1937, Serial No. 180,424

(Cl. 24d- 118) Our invention relates to passenger accommodations for aircraft, and relates in particular to a structure-adapted to be readily converted from. a chair to a berth.

It is an object of our present invention to provide in the cabin oi an aircraft.. for example, the l craft cabin without obstructing partitions dividing the cabin into sections. Although our improvement makes it possible for any passenger to view the entire length of the' cabin during day travel, that is, when the chairs are being used in their normal manner as passenger seats. the consecutive chairs are so constructed and arranged that they may be quickly converted into a single berth, or two consecutive pairs of chairs may be readily adjusted to provide a' double berth. Likewise, a groupy of three chairs may be employed as the bed and accompanying chair or seat of a compartment., readily enclosed by curtains for privacy.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple chair construction for use in an aircraft, which, in addition to its capacity of ready conversion to form part of a. berth, has adjustments which may be used during the employs mentof the chair in its normal manner to contribute greatest comfort and ease to the passen these double chairs consists of two adjacent single chairs. each with its own individually adjusted seat and back, and one individual chair being separated from the other by a. center arm rest. The individual chair which is closest to the wall of the cabin is provided with -a permanent side arm rest, and the individual chair adjacent the aisle has an aisle arm rest. The center and aisle l' cabin equipped with chairs of our invention andA chair seat, and providing simple means for sup- 4 arm rests are removable so that they may be removed from their normal positions during the converting of the chairs into beds. After the beds are made up the aisle arm rests may be replaced so as to form aisle guards.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel` chair back construction and adjustable supporting means therefor, such supporting means including elements for locking the chairl back in a desired position of inclination. and in such a manner that same may not be inadvertently unlocked. An important feature of the invention consists in the simple, adjustable link means which supports the chair back and which may be readily adjusted by the chairs occupant to .give a desired slope to the seat back. A further object of the invention is to provide a seat back having locking means at the ends thereof whereby either end of the seat back may be brought into an interlocked engagement with the seat base, depending upon whether the chair is to face forwardly or rearwardly. This locking means comprises pins or dogs with key operated means for holding them in fully retracted positions, partly extended positions or fully extended positions as may be required in the diierent positions and uses of the chair back.

A further object of the invention is to provide, as part of the passenger accommodation o1' an aircraft, an upper berth construction having a bed member, and link panel supporting this bed Vmember so that it may be swung upwardly into a ceiling recess during day travel, at which time it will be in a position in which it will not form an obstruction in the cabin, and whch bed member may be swung into a lowered position in such manner that the inner edge thereof will not project into the aisle and decrease the shoulder room of such aisle.

A. further ob ect of the invention is to provide a chair of the character hereinbefore described having a reversible back equipped with means for supporting an individual lamp on the upper part of the chair back when such back is in either of its positions of cooperation ywith the hiring electric current to the lamp in either of its positions.

objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification. Y

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of an aircraft of Fig. 10. .f

showing such chairs in various adjustments to which they are adapted.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section on the plane represented by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of consecutive chairs, this view being taken from the position indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and showing a manner in which a bed or berth may be formed from the two consecutive chairs.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a further enlarged section taken subs5tantially as indicated bythe line 6-6 of Fig.

Fig. '1 is an enlarged plan view of the seat frame of a chair prior to the placing of the upholstering thereon.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 8-8 of Fig. '1.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the plane indicated by the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

- Fig. 10 is a partly sectioned viewl of a chair back frame and adjustable supporting links therefor.

Fig. 11is an elevational view corresponding to Fig. 10, partly sectioned as indicated by the line of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentarysection showing the upper'right hand corner fitting 95 Fig. 13 is a cross-section taken as indicated by the line |3|3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionalA view showing cooperating electrical ttings which are placed at adjacent ends of the seat' back frame.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged cross-section through an upper berth, taken on a plane indicated by the line I5-'|5 of Fig'. 3, this view being contracted by the breaking out of intermediate portions thereof.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken as indicated by the-line |6-I6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line |1|1 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the linel |8-I8 of Fig. 16. l

Fig. 19 Iis an enlarged fragrn'entary cross-section showing the locking means employed for the, center joint of the collapsible upper berth strut.

Fig. 20 .is a cross-section taken as indicated by the line 28--28 of Fig. 19.

In Fig. 1 we show chair units 2.0 spaced in consecutive order and in longitudinal direction along a side wall 2| of an aircraft cabin 2,72. Each of these chair untis 20 comprises a double chair consisting of two single chairs 23 in side by side relation, such chairs being individually indicated as chair 23a and 23h. Thechairs 23a are adjacent the side wall 2|, and are each separated from a companion chair 23h by a center armrest 24. The chairs 23h are adjacent-the aisle 25 of the cabin 22 and are provided with aisle arm rests 26.' The chair units 20, with the exception 'of thesingle chair unit 20a at the forward end V of the cabin 22 are allshown facing toward'the front end 21 of the cabin 22.' That is to say, the seats 28 of the chairs 23 are faced toward theend 21 of the cabin 22, and the vbacks29 of the chairs '23 are vshown disposed toward the aft of the cabin 4| will have an entrance 43.

Any longitudinally consecutive pair -of chairs 23 may be adjusted to form a bed or berth. For example, in the lower part of Fig. 1 the rst and second wall chairs 423a. are shown adjusted so as to form a berth 30 whereas the aisle seats 23h adjacent thereto are left in their normal condition. When enclosed by a curtain 3|, the berth 38 and the adjacent chairs 23h form a compartment 32. If desired, two consecutive chair units 26 may be adjusted to form two adjacent berths such as 'shown atv 33 and 34, such adjacent berths 33 and 34 constituting a double bed which may be enclosed by a curtain 35, thereby forming a double bed compartment 36.

Three chairs 23 may be employed to form a compartment comprising a single berth and one chair. For example, the aisle chairs 23h of sec-v tions 5 and 6 may be adjusted to form a. berth 31 and a curtain 38 may be extended along the aisle 25, around the end of the berth 31 and across the back of the ch'air 23a of sections 5, forming a compartment 39 having its entrance at 40. To form a compartment 4|, complementary to the `compartmentV 39,A chairs 23a of sections 6 and 1 may be made up to form a berth 42. The chair of this compartment 4I will be the Vaisle 23h of section 1, and the compartment The three double chair units 28 of sections 8, 9, and I8, consisting of six single chairs 23, may be made up to form compartments 39a and 4| a which are countervenclosed and concealed by the cushion coverings of the. seats 28. As shown in Fig. '1, the frame 44 includes. a pair of side bars 46 and 41 which are made from light weight tubes of metal such as duralumin. By means of corner fittings 48 and 49, the ends of the side bars 46 and 41 are connected to the ends of front and rear tubular members 50 and 5|. It will be noted that the corner fittings 48 are diagonally disposed and c onsisi; of simple, tubular elbows, the legs of which project into the ends of the associated members 46, 41, 50, and 5| and are secured ,in place by means of rivets 52.

The corner ttings 49 are likewise diagonally disposed and comprise tubular elbows having platesor webs 53 projecting inwardly from the lower portion thereof to serve as supports for vertical hinge pins or shafts 54 of'duplicate locking mechanisms 55 and 55a. The locking mechanism 55 comprises tubular trunnions 56 and 51,

Iindividually idented as 56a, 55h, 51a, and 51D,

which project outwardly from the side bars- 46 and .41. Trunnion 56a is formed by the outer end of a tube 58 extending horizontally through a side bar 46 or 41. On the inner end of the tube 58 a clevis 59,is secured, this clevis 59 supporting a vertical pin 60 on which a double bell crank 6| is pivoted. The forward end of the double bell crank 6| is, connected by means of a pin 62 to the vinner end 63 of a docking pin 64 which isslidable within the tube 58. Thel rearward end' of the double bell crank 6|-is connected by means of a pivot 65 to a. link 66 which has its opposite end connected by. means of a pivot 61 to the inner end of a locking pin 68 which is slidab'le within the horizontal tube 69 secured in such position that the outer end thereof will form the l tubular trmnion 561;.

pins 64 .will be retracted, and that when the member 8| is rotated in anticlockwise direction, the members 64 will be projected into locking position. This movement of the member 6| is accomplished by means of a lever 10 which is secured to the lower end 1| of the shaft 54 by Ameans of a cotter 12 as shown in Fig. 8. The shaft 54 projects vertically through the plate 53 and a lever 13 is secured to the upper end thereof by use of a cotter 14. A pivot pin 15, carried' by the outer end of the lever 13, is connected by means of a link 16 to a pivot 11 carried by the lateral arm 18 of the double bell crank 6I. H To retract the pins 64 of the locking device 55, the lever 10 is swung in anticlockwise direction from the position inV which it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. '1, transmitting anticlockwise rotation to the lever 13 to carry it to engagement with a stop pin 19 supported by the horizontal wall 53'. The motion transmitted through the link 16 rotates the member 6| in clockwise direction with the result that the pins 64 are simultaneously retracted. 4

'Ihe parts of the locking device 55a are dupli-V in conjunction with theseat base or supporting structure |9I. The operating lever 10 of the locking device 55a is shown in a position 10a to hold the locking pins 84 of the device 55a in 1 retracted position, the lever 13 of the device 55a being at this timein engagement with the cooperating stop pin 19.

Fig. 9 shows the manner in which the trunnions and locking pins of the two preceding paragraphs are formed. In this Fig. 9 the tube 58 is shown projecting horizontally through the side member 46 so that the outer end thereof will project so as to form the trunnion 56 specifically designated as trunnion 56a. The locking pin 64.

is of hollow construction for thel purpose of preserving lightness therein, and includes a rearwardly extending stem 80 .which projects through the inner portion of the tube 58 and has a pivot connection 8| formed on the inner end thereof. The locking pin 64 is normally urged in outward direction by means of a compression spring 82 which surrounds the stem 80 in such position that one end thereof will engage the inner end 83 of the pin 64 and the other end thereof will engage an annular wall 84 secured in the inner end of the tube 58.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, each chair back 29 includesv a back frame 85, details of` which are shown in Figs. l0 to 14 inclusive. This back frame 85 is of rectangular form and comprises side members 86 and 81 and end members 88 and 89. The side member 81 includes a central tting 98 which is of oval cross-section to receive the deformed ends 9| of tubes 92 which extend upwardly and downwardly therefrom. The outer end of each tube 92 is connected by means of rivets 93 to a leg 94 of a corner fitting 95 which is of hollow construction and'has a laterally extending leg portion 96. The upper and lower comer fittings 95 are madeV in oppositehand relation so that the upper and lower right hand corners of the frame 85 will be symmetrical. Accordingly, the following parts described with relation to the upper `corner tting 95 will be is secured. This support 98 has an external plate or flange 99 which rests against the exterior of the leg v94, and through which screws |00 are extended into threaded engagement with the leg 94 to secure the body 91 in place. A short shaft |0| projects through an opening |02 in the body 98, this shaft |0| having a squared outer end |03 lying in a counterbore |04 which faces outwardly. The squared end |03 of the shaft |0l, being thus submerged in the colmterbore 04, can be engaged and rotated only by use of a key. A lever or crank |05 is xed on the. inner end of the shaft |0| and is connected by means of a link 08 with one arm |01 of a T-lever |08 carried on a pivot pin |09 which is supported by plates ||0 nected by means of a pivot ||2 with the lower arm ||3 of a bell crank H4. The stem ||5 of the T-lever |08 projects upwardly and has a notch ||6 in the end thereof adapted to engage a pin ||1 carried at the inner end of a tubular locking pin 9 which is identified asV pin |9a. and which normally projects from the corner fitting 95 in the manner shown in Fig.'.11, 'but which may be partly retracted or fully retracted as will be hereinafter described.

As further shown in Fig. 12, the comer of the fitting 95 comprises a boss l20having an opening formed on the axis of the end member 88 to support the outer end |22 of a cylindrical shellv |23 which carries the locking pin ||9 and a compression spring |24 which yieldably urges the locking pin ||9 outwardly. The lateral leg 96 of the fitting 95 has a cylindrical wall |25 which is bored so as to support the inner end of the shell |23. Lying inwardly, or to the left of the wall |25, the leg 96 has an inwardly faced opening |26 and inwardly projecting walls |21 at the edge of the opening |26, these walls 21 carrying a pivot member |28 on which the bell crank ||4 is supported in such position that the arm |29 thereof will project through the opening |26 into the intrior of the hollow inner or left end |30 of the which tubes 92 receive the vertical legs |3| of corner ttings |32 which are in the form of elbows having lateral legs |33 which cooperate in the "forming of the end members 88 and' 89 of the frame 85 and are connected to the legs 96 of the corner fittings by lateral tubes |34. The corner fittings |32 have laterally faced bosses |20, bored to receive cylindrical sleeves o1' shells |23a in which locking pins I9, identified as pins ||9b, are slidablydisposed. A stem |35 projects inwardly from the inner` end of each locking pin H9, and a spring |24a is placed around the stem |35 in position to urge the locking pin ||9b outwardly. From each stem |35 an extension |36 extends through the tube |34 into the inner end portion |30 of thercooperating leg 96; to be connected by means of a pivot |31 with the arm 29 'of the bell .crank ||4. The locking mechanism for the upper end of the frame 85, which locking mechanism includes the pins ||9a and ||9b and -the movable parts associated therewith, is duplicated at the lower end of -the frame 85, the in terior parts of the lower locking mechanism being disposed in the lower corner fittings 95 and |32 and the lower tube |34, the lower corner ttings 95 and |33 being opposite-hand counterparts of the upper corner .fittings 95 and |33. Each corner tting 95 and. |35 has a forwardly projecting web :240, with a diagonal slot 24| therein, to provide means for attachment of the ends of a safety belt, not shown.

Owing to the manner in which-therTY-lever |08 and the bell crank ||4 are connected, the stem fully extended position. At this time the arm |01 of the T-lever |08 rests under the head |36 of an adjustable stoppin |39 which projects,vas shown in Fig. 13, through anopening |40 in the wall ||0 andinas a plate |4| secured on the outer end thereof in position tovslide in a recess |42, there being a compression spring |43 in the recess |42 to urge the stop pin |39 inA a. direction to carry the head |38 thereof toward the wall |V|0. f 'rl'omove the locking pins 9 into partly retracted, or intermediate position as indicated by dotted lines |44, Fig. 12, a key is applied to the from the shaft square ends .|03 of the shaft |0|, to rotatethe crank into the position indicated by dotted lines |05b, thereby moving the arm |01 upwardly into the dotted line position|01b thereof, at which time the spring |43 will move the stop pin |39 so asto 'carry 'the head|38 thereof' toward the wall I0 and into such position that the periphery thereof'-will be in a position to engage the lower edgeof the arm l-| 01 and prevent downward :mover ment .thereof when rotative force is released Accordingly, the head |38 of the stop pin |39 serves continuously as a stop in the path of movement of the arm |0|, except when the stoppin |39 is moved inwardly to carry the head |38 thereof into the position in which 1t is showniin Fig. 13, such movement of the stop pin |39 being accomplished by manualpressure against the plate |4| on theouter end of the Fromthe intermediate positions thereof indicated by dotted lines I I5a an'd l-29a, the lever ||5` and the arm |29 of the bell crank ||4 may be swung toward each other into position to fully retract the locking pins 9.by rotating the lever |05 into. the position thereof indicated by .broken lines |0511. This will move the arm |01, the lever .or stem ||5, and thearm |29int`c-the positions thereof respectively indicated by broken lines. |u1b, usb, and |291. The crank m5 will have been, at this time, swung slightly past a line extendedthrough the axis of the shaft |`0| and the axis of the pivot pin l| 45 which connects the up'- perend ofthe link |06 with the arm,|01,and the Y locking pins I9 will be retained in fully retraced position until the crank |05-is manually rotated in anticlockwise direction from the position in' which it is shown in broken lines |051). The

downward force against the link |06, exerted bybeyond the position thereof shown by broken lines |0517, will be prevented by an adjustable sleeves |41 through which a lateral tube |48 projects. On each projecting end |49 of the tube |48 a cap |50 is secured, each of these caps |50 carrying a laterally projecting arm |5| comprised of a tube of attened form, there being a boss |52 on each of thecaps |50, as

shown in Fig. 11, to which the upper end of the tube |5| may be secured as by rivets |53. A link or bar |54, of tubular form, is slidably disposed in each of the tubular arms |5|. Each tubular bar |54 has a head |55 thereon of a size to slideV in the tubular arm |5|. As shown in Fig. 10, the tubular bar |54 has a minor cross-sectional dimension substantially corresponding to the Width of the tubular arm |5|, but as shown in Fig. 11, the major cross-sectional dimension of the tubular bar |54 is less than the major crosssectional dimension of the tubular arm |5| so that spaces |56 and |51 exist adjacent the top wall |58 and the bottom wall |59 of 'the tubular bar |54 Within the arm |5|. A small ller block |60 is secured to the lower end of the tubular arm |5| in a position to close the lower end of the space |56, and above the ller block |60 a block |6| is secured the tubular arm |5|, this block IGI-'having a projecting locking pin or lug |62 adapted to engage one of a plurality 'of openings |63 in the top space |58 of thev tubular vbar |54, such engagement preventing longitudinal movement of the bar |54 in the To yieldably holdthe lower-wall |64 ofthe tubular arm |5|' away from the lower face |59 of the b ar |54, a leafspring |65 is provided. The spring |65 is secured in the-upper part of space |51 by means of screws |66, and yieldably urges the bar |54 toward the block |6| so as to main-2 tain the locking pin |62 in a selected opening -|63. Each arm |5| with its contained bar |54 constitutes an extensible and adjustable seat back adjusting link |61,and to yieldably resist extension thereof a spring |68 is placed in the lateral tube |48.

' |68 are connected to cables |10 which extend over sheaves |1| mounted within the caps |50 so as to lie in the outer ends |49 of the lateral tube |48. The outer nds |12 of the cables V|10 are connected to the heads at the inner ends of the tubular bars |54. A locking member |13,

lin operative position at the upper end of a seat f the springs |34 yand ma when the link is in the position thereof indicated by broken lines |0611, will tend to rotate the lever |05 in clockwise direction, but clockwise rotation of the crank |05 Fig, 11, is slidably held in an opening |14 in the lower part of the tubular bar |54fso that itmaY- be moved from a position, such as shown in full lines, whereinrthe upper endf |15 thereof lies within the lower end of the space. |51, to retracted or non-locking position such as shown by dotted lines |13a, wherein the upper end v|15 'will be' removed from the space |51. The outer extremityof the bar |54 attened and provided with an opening |16 for connection of the bar |54 to a pivt |11 carried by a cliairbase as indicated in Figi 4.

In. '4 an electric spot lamp |18 is shown back 29. For support of this 'lamp |18, and also for `the connection of the lamp toan Velectric current, means are provided as disclosed in Figs. 10, 11, and 14. As shown in the lower part of Fig. 10, each leg/96 and. |33 has a socket |19 integrally formed thereon,thereby providing a pair of lamp supports at each upper and lower The ends |69 of the spring' end of a seat structure. As shown in Fig. 14, an electrical connector LI8|lris secured in the bottom of each socket |19, and upper and lower connectors |88 are connected electrically by wires I8I which extend through tubes |82 from lower sockets |19 to upper sockets |19. 'Ille lamp |18 is provided with a; plug or extension adapted to t into any socket |19, such plug |83 having an outer tubular wall |84 provided with a slot |85 for engagement with a pin |86 held in cooperative position in the wall of'the socket |19. To secure the vlan'p |18 against unauthorized removal, a latch |18a is` provided, this latch comprising a body I18b which is carried on a pivot I19a in the base I19b of the lamp. From this body |1811 a latch lever |88a projects downwardly within the tubular wall |84 and has a dog |88b which projects through the wall |84 so as to engage an opening |8411 in the sidewall of the socket |19. An actuating lever `1Mb extends laterally from the body |181), in a position to be ,upper socket |19, as shown in Figs. 4 and 14.

the plug |81 of a lamp cord |88 is inserted in the lower socket |19 of the seat back associated with the'upper sockets |19 supporting the lamp |18. As shown in Fig. 4, the lamp cord |88 extends from an outlet box |89 and carries electric' cur- .rent to a connector |88 in a lower socket |19 and then through electric wires I8I, Fig. 14, to an upper connector |88 which is connected to the lamp |18. Since the sockets |19 are all the same, a lamp |18 may be placed in two positions at the top of a seat back, in both fore and aft positions of suchrseat back; that is to Say, when the seat backs are disposed at the rightward ends of the seat 28, Fig. 2, so that the chairs will be facing forwardly, the lamp |18 will be connected to a socket |19 at one end of the seat back, and will be connected to a socket at the opposite end' of the seat back 29 when the same is reversed as shown by dotted lines V|88 in Fig. 2 to face the chair toward the aft of the cabin.'

Each chair unit 28, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5, has a base or supporting structure im comprising a wall bracket |92, intermediate legs |93 and aisle legs |94?" "Tubes |95 connect the I center legs |93 to the wall brackets l 82 and tubes |96 connect the center legs |93 to the aisle legs |94. As shown also in Fig. 6, 'floor plates |91 are provided for supporting the legs |93 and |98, these floor plates being mounted in the cabin floor |88 in submerged relation and having upwardly projecting wings |98 disposed in spaced relation so as to support lateral bolts 288. The legs |94 have tongues 28| whichproject down= wardly between the members l89 and are connected thereto by the bolt 288. In vertical planes disposed beyond the ends of the horizontal tubes |95 and |88 there are plates 282 individually identiied as 282e, 28211, 282e, and 2821i. As shown in Fig. 5, the plate 282:1` forms the inner wall of the end member 283 of the seat supporting structure ISI, this wall 282m being connected to van outer plate 283:1 having the outline shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The plates 2821 and 282e, Fig. 5, project in side by side relation upwardly from the upper ends of the 4center legs |93. The plate 282d forms part of the wall bracket |82 which is suitably secured to the side wall 2| of 'the cabin 22. i

The seats 28, as shown in Fig. 5, are placed between the vertical planes dened by the plates 282, and mounted on these plates 282, so as to face toward the sides of the seat 28, there are s guide plates 284 which are secured to the vertical plates 282 by means of rivets 285, as shown in Fig. 6. Each. guide plate has a horizontal channel 281 formed in a position to face the edge of the adjacent seat 28 by a lower horizontal rib 286 having upturned ends 288, and a horizontal lupper rib 289 having a central portion 2|8 and horizontal end portions 21| which are parallel to the lower rib 286. The lcenter and end portions 2|8 and 2|| of the upper rib 289 are connected by horse-shoe shaped rib portions 2I2 `forming spaced upwardly faced pockets 2 I3 corn-l municating with and forming part oi the channel 281.A The ends of the rib 2,88 are foreshort- .ened with respect to the upturned ends 288 of `2|) the rib 288, as indicated at 214, so as to -produce upwardly faced entranceways 2I5 'at the ends of the channel 281.

At the ends of the channel 281, and in the vbottom wall 2|8 thereof, there are openings 2I1 25 of such diameter as to receive locking pins IIS carried by a back frame 85. of each pocket 2|3 there is an opening 2|8 of such diameter as to receive a locking pin 84 of a seat frame 44. Below each opening 2|8 in a pocket 2|3 there is a similar opening 2|8, and below each opening 2|9 there is a pin receiving opening 228 which is positioned in the bottom wall 2I5 of the channel 281. In the bottom wall 2|8 of the channel 281 there are two more vpin receiving openings 22|, one eachoi which is placed near an end 4of the channel 281.

When` a seat 28 is supported in position betweenadjacent vertical plates 282 of the seat supportingstructure |9I,`the trunnions 5S and 4G 51 of its contained seat frame 84 will project into the'channel 281. Depending upon the position bf the seat 28, selected locking pins 64 are Aprojected into selected ones of the openings 2|8, 2 I9, 228, or 22|. For example, the seat indicated by numeral 28d in Fig. e is disposed in horizontal position so as to be used in cooperation with a back 28 to form a chair. At this time the locking pins 84 associated with the forward or front trunnions 58 of the seat frame 44 associated with the seat 28d are projected into openings 228 in portions of channels 281. Should it be desired to raise the left or forward portion oi a seat 28,

so as to place the same in a position indicated by dotted lines 28e of Fig. 4, the trunnions 58 may be lifted into the leftwardly disposed pockets 2i3a and the locking pins B4 associated with the trunnions 58 may be projected into openings dit or 2|8, depending upon the height to which it is desired to lift the left end of the seat indicated at 28e. As shown in each of Figs. d and 5, the plates 2820 2821 and 282e have clevis ttings 222 .supported on the upper parts thereof, and the wall fitting $92 has .a clevis fitting 222a at the .m upper part thereof, which cle`visl fitting supports the pivot pins |11, Fig. 4, by which the outer Aends of the bars |54 of the seat supporting and adjusting links |61 are connected to the seat supporting structure 19|. When achair is 75 adjusted so as to face front, or left, as shown At the upper end the bottom walls of channels 281, which openend of channels 201.

in the right-hand portion of Fig. 4, the links |61 extend upwardly .and rightwardlyffrom the pivots |11 to the central portion of the associated back 29, and locking pins |99 at the lower A 28d. To change the slope of the back 29, theA length of the links |61 is changed. With the locking block |13 in retractedposition as shown in full lines in Fig. 4 or as' shown in dotted lines |13a in Fig. 11, this change in length of the links |61-is accomplished merely by lifting on the lower portion of the tubular arml |5| so as tov change the angular relation of the parts i5| and |64. With reference to Fig. 1l, it will be perceived that the lifting force applied .to the lowerends of the tubular members |5| will swing the lower wall |64 towards the bottom wall |59 of the bar |64, and will, at the same time, move Vthe block |6| to the left and away from the top wall |58 of the bar |64 so as to carry the locking-pin |62 out of the opening |63 with which it is engaged. 'The outer tubular member or arm |5| may be then moved relative to the tubular bar |54 and by release of the lifting force exerted against the lower'portion of the tubular arm |5|, the pin |62 may be caused to engage another selected opening |63 so as to lock the bar |54 in a new position of extension relative to the tubular arm |5|. When it is desired to adjust a chair to a position wherein it will face aft, the lower locking -pins ll9'shown in the right-hand portion of Fig. 4 will be retracted in the manner described relative to Figs. ,10 to 13 inclusive and the'seat back 29 will be rotated in anticlockwise direction on the axis defined bythe pivot 11 and also onv the axis dened by the crossing tube |48, to the ends |49 of which the caps |50 are connected, so that when the links |61 reach positions such as indicated by dotted lines |61a in Fig. 2, the seat back |85 will have rotated through an angle a little greater than 180 and the cushionof such seat member, when it is in reverse position indicated by dotted lines 29c in Fig. 2, will face aft. The locking pins I9 which were previously at the top of the back 29,'as shown in Fig. 4, will now-be in position to engage openings 2|1 at the left Of course, the seat 28d must at this time be moved to the right in the channel 201 to allow space at the left end thereof for the back cushion 223.

The space between longitudinally consecutive chairs* 23 is Tless than the length of the seat back 29; and when it is desired to make azbed out of two longitudinally consecutive chairs, the

' procedure illustrated in Fig. 4 is to be followed.

The seat 28 of one chair, for example, the seat specifically indicated at 28f, will be moved in its associated supporting channels 201 to such positionthat the locking pins 64, associated with one set of trumiions 56 or 51, may be caused to engage openings 22|. For example, locking pins 64 are shown in engagement with openings 22| near the left ends of the channel 201.

The lower locking pins ||9 of the seat vback indicated in dotted line position 22g will be partly retracted, or, in other words, will be retracted to the intermediate position indicated by dotted ||9c, at which time the seat back may be swung down from the dotted line position 29g to the full line position 29h. The upperlocking pin I9 of the seat back will then drop into the leftward ends of the channels 201 of the seat supporting structure shown' at the right-hand side of Fig. 4, as indicated by dotted lines ||9d. The seat 28],

the back 29h., and the seat 28d now form a bed.

In the construction shown, the seat back 29 is swingable downwardly to horizontal position on the supporting links |61 therefor, and the seat 28 may be shifted forwardly from its normal position to provide room for the front end of the now horizontal back 29 when the rear end of such horizontal back 29 supported by the seat supporting structure |9| o f the consecutive chairs. Since any seat 28 is shiftable in either forwardly or rearwardly direction in its supporting channels 201, and any seat back mas1 be swung from fore facing position to aft facing position, 'as previously described, consecutive chairs 23 may be made up into berths facing either fore or aft of the cabin 22.

'Ihe center arm rest 24 and the aisle arm rest 26 are detachable, so that they can be temporarily removed from the positions in which they are -shown, during the adjusting of longitudinally consecutive chairs 23 to form berths and d'uring the swinging of chair backs from front facing position to aft facing position. The arm rests 225 disposed along the'cabin walls adjacent the chairs 23a are permanently secured in the position shown, and the ends of these arm rests 225, and also the ends of the aisle arm rests 26 are provided with ash receivers 226 which are normally held in retracted position in compartments 221 provided therefor in the arms 225 and 26, as indicated in Fig. 6.

For support of the arm rests 24 and 26, tubular legs 228 are provided, the lower ends of theseA tubular legs being extended into' suitable pockets or vertical openings in the seat supporting structure |9|. Illustrative of this, we have shown in Fig. 6 an arm rest 26 formed of hollow construction from sheet metal 329 and having a suitable cushion or upholstering 230 thereon. A pair of legs 229 are secured to the arm 26 in downwardly projecting relation, and may be secured thereto by use of fittings such as indicated at 232. Each leg 229 has a rounded lower end 233 so that it may be readily guided into the upper end of a vertical tube 234. A pair of such tubes 234 are shown supported in an end member 203' of a seat supporting structure |9I. lThese tubes 234 provide receptacles to receive the lower ends of the tubular legs 229, and may be secured in the positions shown in Fig. 6 by ttings 235 and 236. To serve as stops for the downward movement of the legs 229 cross bolts 231 may be passed through the lower ends of the vertical tubes 234. When it is desired to remove the arm rest 26, it is merely lifted so that the lower portions of its legs 229 will be withdrawn from the tubes 234.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, upper berth sec? tions 250 are disposei'along the side walls 2| of the cabin 22, in positions above the; chair units 20, where such side walls curve. inwardly to meet the ceiling 25| of the cabin. Partitions 252 dev which may be rubber shockcords, 4are connected to fittings 26| in the upper part of the recesses 253, and are extended over pulleys 262 to connection with the link members 251 at 263. The resilient members 260 exert yieldable force tending to .hold the members 251 in the position thereof indicated by dotted lines 251a in Fig. 3. When the berth frame 255 is lowered from its concealed position within the compartment 253 to position for use, as indicated by dotted line 25511, the link panel associatedtherewith swings A on hinge 259 from the dotted .lineposition 251a to the depending position shown by' dotted lines 251b. Accordingly, the outer edge of the frame- 255 is swung downwardly and outwardly through an arc 264, thereby bringing the frame into dot- 'ted line position 255a wherein the inner edge 265 thereof will be spaced from the aisle 25.

When in the lowered position, the frame 255 has its inner edge supported by collapsible struts 266 consisting of upper and lower links 261 and 268 which are connected by a hinge 269, the upper link 261 being connected toa pivot 210 within the recess 253 and the lower end of the lower link 268 being `connected'to a pivot carried by the berth frame 255. Locking means 212, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, are provided for holding the joints between the upper and lower links 261 and 268 rigid when the collapsible strut 266 is in extended position as shown in'full line 3. The links 261 and 268 are formed from metal tubes of rectangular, or round, cross-section, and in an end of one of these tubes, for example, in the upper end of link 268, a transverse hinge pin 213 is secured. This hinge pin 213 is placed in transverse position adjacent the wall 216, which is opposite the hinge 269, and a latching member 215 is swung thereon. The latch member 215 includes an upwardly extending lever 216 having a dog-211 adapted to engage an opening 218 in the wall 219 of the upper link member 261, there being a spring 280 to urge the lever 216 in outward direction. The latch member 215 also includes an arm 28| which extends downwardly and then bends leftwardly to provide an engageable portion 282 which will project through an opening 283 in the wall'of the lower link 268 below the hinge 269. When it is desired to release the latch member 215 pressure is-applied to the engagement portion 282 to swing the same inwardly and downwardly into a position indicated l by dotted lines 282a.

As shown in Fig. 15, the berth frame 255 comprises an inner side frame member 284 and end frame members 285 extending from the ends thereof. The frame members 284 and 285 are fabricated from light-weight metal and are of the relative positions shown in full lines in Fig. I. 3, so that there can be no movement of the link member 251 relative to the frame 255 when the berth is in the lowered position. Such/locking means is shown to large scale in Figs. 15 and 17 and comprisesv a pair of latch levers 281 pivoted on pivot members 286 which are secured to walls 289 of the end frame member 285. 'I'he levers 281 have hooks 290v on the ends thereof adapted to engage pins 29| which project from -plates 292 secured "to the end wall 293 of the link member 251.. Operating levers 294 project downwardly from the inner ends of the levers 281, as shown in Fig. 1'1, and springs 295 are connected thereto to urge the latch levers into locking position. From the lever 294 cables 296 are extended within the end frame member 285 'to pulleys 291 which are held in the ends of the side frame member 284 .by brackets 298.

From the pulleys 291 the cables 296 are extended within the side frame member 284 to a centrally pivoted lever 299 which, 'upon being rotated, exerts a pull on each of theV cables 296, such pull being transmitted to the actuating levers 294 associated with the latch levers 281 to move the same into the retracted position indicated by dotted lines 300 in Fig. 17.

As shown in Figs. 16 and 18, thecentrally pivoted lever 299 is fixed on the inner end of the shaft 30| which projects through the bottom wall 302 of a cup fitting 303 mounted in thebottom wall 304 of the side frame member 284. 'Ihe shaft 30| has a flange 305 near its lower end against which a spring 306 exerts a downward pressure. A squared body 301, for engagement cfa key, projects downwardly from the flange 305. A boss 308 projects upwardly from the bottom wall 302 of the cup 303, this boss having at side faces 309 and 310 disposed at right angles to each other. A lug or pin 3H projects downwardly from the lever 299 in a position to lie adjacent theflattened face 309, when the lever 299 is in the position in which it is shown in full 'line inFigs. 15, 16, and 18. In order to rotate the lever 299 from its full line position to the position thereof indicated by dotted lines 3I3 it is necessary to force upwardly on the shaft 30| against the force of the spring 306 to move the lever 299 into' the position thereof shown by dotted lines 314i in Fig. 16, which will raise vthe lug 3Il into a position above the upper face of the boss 306. Then,

dicated by dotted lines '3I3, the lug 3H may be dropped into a. position adjacent the side face 310, as indicated by the dotted linesh3i5, to holdthe lever 299 in the transverse position shown in dotted lines 3I3, whichrwill result in the holding of the latch levers 281 in retracted position.

Locking pins 320 are provided at the ends of the side frame member 286i, Fig. 15, for engagement with openings 321, Fig. 3, in the vparitions 252 of the berth compartments 253, to retain the berth frame 255 in raised position, as shown in dotted lines in the upper left-hand portion of this ligure. The locking pins 320 are of hollow form and are slidable in cylindrical nttings 322 which are secured in the ends of the side frame member 284 as shown in Fig. 15. Each pin, as shown in Fig. 16, has a stem 323 projecting rearwardly therefrom, and a spring 324 is placed around this pin to exert a yieldable outward force against the pin 320.

The inner end 325 of each stem 323 is connected by a link 326 with a centrally pivotedlever 29lb ing :littings 322. The lever-299D is carried on the inner end of `the shaft 30|.b which is rotatablev within a :tltting 30217 which is also secured to the wall 3M. The lever 2991 has a downwardly projecting locking plug 3I`Ib which may be moved upwardly from engagement with side faces 30911 and lilla, provided at the upper end ofthe fitting 3201, by forcing inwardly against the lower end of the shaft nib so as to raise the lever 2991i, which may be accomplished by upward pressure applied to a key which engages the squared body 30112 on the' lower end of the shaft 30H).

We 'claim as our invention:

1. In an aircraft chair ofthe character Idescribed, the combination of:l a seat member having trunnion means projecting from the sides thereof; a back member cushioned only on one side thereof and supported so as to be rotated on a lateral axis between the ends thereof; a supporting structure having horizontal channels at the sides of said seat member and facing the same, said channels receiving said trunnion means and being of such length and so placed in centralized relation Ato said supporting structure as to permit longitudinal movement of said trunnion means insaid channels for longitudinal adjustment of saidseat member in oppositedirections from a centralized position relative to `:assegni supporting said back member in adjustable cooperation'with said seat member. y

5. In an aircraft chair of the character den scribed, the combination of: a. seat member having tubular trunnions projecting from the sides thereof; locking pins slidable 'in said tubular trunnions; means for extending and retracting said pins from the ends of said trunnions; and a supporting structure having means to receive said trunnions and apertures to receive said locking pins when the same are extended from said trunnons.

said supporting structure; -and means for connecting said back member to said supporting structure at the rear edge or the front edge of -Y said seat member.

Y 2, In an aircraft chair of the character de scribed, the combination of: a supporting structure having channels therein; a seat member having -hollow trunnions to project into said channels and seat locking means passing within said trunnions; and a back member to cooperate with said seat member.

3. In an aircraft chair of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure having a pair of spaced members extending forwardly and rearwardly in parallel relation, each of said members having an inwardly faced channel with upwardly directed entrance openings at the ends thereof; a seat member having means projecting into said channels whereby to support said seat member and permitlongi-` tudinal movement thereof; links extending from said supporting structure; and a back member pvotally connected to said links, said back mem.

ber having bodies at the ends thereof adapted Y for supporting engagement insaid entrance openings of said channels.'

4. In an aircraft-I char 4of the. character described, the combination of: a seat member having two sets of trunnions projecting from the sides thereof; a supporting structure having members disposed along the sides of said seat member with longitudinal channels therein to receive said trunnions, said channels having upwardly projecting pockets into which one set of said trunnions can move Vupwardly when one end of said seat member is lifted; means for locking said seat member in a position wherein said set of said trunnions is in said pockets of said sup'- porting structure; a back member; and means for 6. In an aircraft chair of the character described,the combination of: a seat member hav-v ing tubular trunnions projecting from the sides thereof; locking pins slidable in said tubular trunnions; means for extending andretracting said pins from the ends of said trunnions; a supporting structure havingrchannels to'receive said trunnions in slidable relation; and apertures in the bottoms of said channels Sinto which said locking pins can be projected from the ends-of I said trunnons.

7. In an aircraft chair of the character described, the combination of: a seat member; a

support for said seat member, said support hav-,.

positioned for engagement with said engageable means and the other end of said support.

8. In an aircraft chair of the characterdescribed, the combination of: a seat member; a

support for said seat member; a back for cooperation with said seat member; pivot means at the lower end of said back connecting the same to said support; link means pvotally connected to opposite sides of said back, said link means each comprising an inner member and an outer member in telescoped relation; a spring extendl* ing transversely in said back; and means connecting the opposite ends of said spring to said.A

outer members to urge the same toward collapsed or retracted relation to -said inner mem- 9. In an aircraft chair ofthe character described, the combination of: a seat member; a support for said seat member; av back for cooperation With said seat member.; pivot means at the lower end of said back connecting the same to said support; link means pvotallyr connected to opposite sides of said back, said link means each comprising an inner member andan outer member in telescoped relation; a spring extending transversely in said back; means connecting the opposite ends of said spring to said outer members to urge the same towardcollapsed or retracted relation to said inner members; and locking means `for each of said links, each of said locking means being operative 'to prevent longitudinal movement of an inner member of said links relative to the outer member thereof, and being controlled by relative angular movementof the inner member and its cooperating outer member.

10. In passenger accommodations for aircraft,

the combination of: a cabin having awall; a

berth frame; link means connecting the Wall edge of said berth frame to said wall, said link means having pivot means connecting the same to said berth frame and hinge means connecting it to said wall, said link means being swingable on said hinge means from a raised position to a lowered position, and carrying said wall edge of said berth frame toward said wall as it moves from raised to lowered position; resilient means connected to said link means and yurging the same to raised position; means for supporting the aisle edge of said berth frame; and means for locking said link means to said berth frame so that said berth frame and said link means cannot swing out of said lowered position.

11. In passenger accommodations for aircraft, the combination of: a cabin having a wall; a berth frame; link means connecting the wall edge of said berth frame to said wall, said link means having pivot means connecting the same to said berth frame and hinge means connecting it to said wall, said link means being swingable on said hinge means from a raised position to a lowered position, said link means being disposed in hanging relation when said berth frame is in lowered position; means for locking said link means to said berth frame; and foldable struts extending upwardly from the aisle edge of said berth frame to said wall to support said l berth frame in lowered position, each of said foldable struts comprising an upper link and a lower link connected by a joint, there being locking means at said joint for holding said links of the foldable strut in extended relation.

12. In passenger accommodations for aircraft, the combination of: a cabin having a wall; a

whereby said seat member may be movedalong said channels; and locking means carried by said seat member and having engagement with said supporting structure operative to lock said seat member in a plurality of positions along said channels.

15. In passenger accommodations for aircraft, the combination of: a, cabin having a wall; a berth frame; link means connecting the wall edge of said berth frame to said wall, said link means having pivot means connecting the same to said berth frame and hinge means connecting it to said wall, said link means being swingable on said hinge means from a raised position to a lowered position, said link means being disposed in hanging relation and in a plane which crosses the plane dened by said berth frame when said berth frame is in lowered position;

means for supporting said berth frame at a point spaced from said link means, when said berth -frame is in said lowered position; and releasable means engaging said link means to lock the same in said hanging relation thereof.

16. In an aircraft chair of the character described, the combination of: a seat member; a

lsupporting structure comprising a pair of spaced vertical walls disposed on opposite sides of said seat member, said vertical walls having upper and lower vertically spaced walls to'form channels which are substantially horizontal; means projecting from the sides of said seat member into said channels and being movable in said berth frame; link means connecting the wall edge of said berth frame to said wall, said link means having pivot means connecting the same to said berth frame and hinge means -connecting it to said wall, said link means being swingable on said hinge means from a raised position to a lowered position, said link means being disposed in hanging relation and in a plane which crosses the plane defined by said berth frame when said berth frame is in lowered position; means for supporting the aisle edge of said berth frame; and releasable means for locking said hinge means to said berth frame when the same is in lowered position.

13. In passenger accommodations lfor aircraft, the combination of: a cabin having'a wall with a shallow compartment in the upper portion thereof; a berth structure receivable in said compartment, said structure comprising a berth frame panel and a link panel lying in side-byside relation and cooperating to substantially close the opening of said compartment, there being hinge means connecting said panels together and pivot means connecting said link panel to the wall so that said link panel may be swung down from the position wherein it cooperates with said berth frame panel to substantially close said opening to a hanging position; means for supporting said. berth frame panel in a substantially horizontal position when said link panel is swung down to said hanging position; and means for locking said link panel to said berth frame panel when said link panel is in said hanging position.

14. In an aircraft chair of the character described, the combination of: a supporting structure having channels therein; a seat member having members projecting into said channels channels to enable movementl of said seat member relative to said supporting structure; and releasable locking means projecting from said seat member into engagement with at least one of said sidewalls to prevent movement of said seat member relative to said supporting structure. l

17. In an aircraft chair of the character described, the combination of a seat member; a supporting structure comprising a pair of spaced vertical walls disposed on opposite sides of said seat member, said vertical walls having upper and lower vertically spaced walls to form channels which are substantially horizontal; said walls having recesses therein for receiving locking pins; means projecting from the sides of said seat member into said channels and being movable in said channels to enable movement of said seat member relative to said supporting structure; and releasable locking pins projectible from said seat member into said recesses.

18. In an aircraft chair of the character described, the combination of: a seat member; a supporting structure comprising a pair of spaced vertical walls disposed -on opposite sides of said r seat member, said vertical walls having upper 6v5 structure; releasable locking pins projectible from said seat member into said recesses; and lever actuated means carried by said seat member, operative to retract said locking pins from engagement with said recesses.

EDWARD F. BURTON. JQHN C. BUCKWALTER. 

